Giving up posessions

LRose613

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I think God is calling me to give up my collectibles, action figures, comic books, and magic cards. I don't know why but the thought has been weighing on my mind for over a year now, along with a few other things that I am trying to finally give in on and obey. I've been resisting, resisting, resisting. These things bring me much joy but I know nothing is more important than the Lord.

Has anyone else ever experienced a struggled with something such as this?
 

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I think God is calling me to give up my collectibles, action figures, comic books, and magic cards.
Hi, welcome to the forum in Jesus name, it is a good place to be. It sounds as if God is calling you to give up some things...pray and then start with the magic cards...they sound very suspect. The pray again.
I spend time on the Pentecostal subforum Pentecostal/Assemblies of God
Even though I don't attend a Pentecostal Church, I find it a very encouraging place to be, and enter deeper into the things of God.
 
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Emli

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Yes.

I had to sell a lot of my stuff, including my beloved gaming computer. I cried and felt horrible for about a week, so that wasn't easy, and I'm still struggling with it. I miss it so much.

God doesn't want anything weighing us down, or taking up our time and energy. He wants us focused on Him always, and anything that doesn't edify us has to go. We are supposed to find our joy in Him only, and not in the things of the world or the flesh.

So I say, just do it! Rip off that bandaid! It's going to feel bad for a while, but when the Lord fills that hole in your heart, you won't miss it any longer. I promise you.
 
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John Hyperspace

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God doesn't want anything weighing us down, or taking up our time and energy. He wants us focused on Him always, and anything that doesn't edify us has to go.

So everyone should give up all hobbies? No more flower gardens, no more stamp collecting, no more fishing, no more house cleaning, no more... anything? Give up on their jobs, as well? Give up their computers? (Why do you still have a computer?)
 
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archer75

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Just in case there was a misunderstanding here: I think the OP meant "Magic" cards in the sense "cards used in a game of that name", not "cards used for working magic."

OP, correct me if I'm wrong, of course.
 
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LRose613

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Just in case there was a misunderstanding here: I think the OP meant "Magic" cards in the sense "cards used in a game of that name", not "cards used for working magic."

OP, correct me if I'm wrong, of course.
You're . right, Magic The Gathering is a trading card game, similar to pokemon and yugioh (and predating them).
 
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Emli

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So everyone should give up all hobbies? No more flower gardens, no more stamp collecting, no more fishing, no more house cleaning, no more... anything? Give up on their jobs, as well? Give up their computers? (Why do you still have a computer?)

That is quite an over reaction. It's not at all what I'm saying. We should give up the hobbies that doesn't work in our relationship with the Lord, and trust that He will suffice, or give us something new to do. If we feel like anything is more important to us than Him, that is sin. We need to allow Him to search our hearts on this, and if He convicts us, we let go of whatever it is He convicts us of.

I ask Him often to remove anything from my life that doesn't edify, and I believe we all should. It allows us to grow in Christ much more.

That doesn't mean that we cannot have hobbies, as long as they doesn't take up too much of our time.

I was gaming for many hours a day, and I spent a lot of money on it. It didn't edify me in anyway. So it had to go! (And I'm typing on my phone)
 
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John Hyperspace

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That is quite an over reaction.

That's similar to my comment; I would think this idea "I have to give up all hobbies" is quite the overreaction.

We should give up the hobbies that doesn't work in our relationship with the Lord

Okay, so how does flower-gardening, stamp collecting, fishing, or any hobby on the face of creation "work in our relationship with the Lord"? If they don't, how was I "over-reacting" by restating what you're suggesting?

I ask Him often to remove anything from my life that doesn't edify, and I believe we all should. It allows us to grow in Christ much more.

Okay, but you believe Christians should give up all hobbies, or, no? Stamp collecting doesn't edify. Playing sports doesn't edify. Dance doesn't edify. Planting flowers doesn't edify. Fishing doesn't edify. Going camping doesn't edify. etc.

That doesn't mean that we cannot have hobbies, as long as they doesn't take up too much of our time.

I was gaming for many hours a day, and I spent a lot of money on it. It didn't edify me in anyway. So it had to go! (And I'm typing on my phone)

Oh okay, so as long as a person is "gaming" it's okay as long as it doesn't take too much time? Which is how much time?

I'm just saying, if it's for you, okay: but is it really what God desires?
 
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Emli

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That's similar to my comment; I would think this idea "I have to give up all hobbies" is quite the overreaction.



Okay, so how does flower-gardening, stamp collecting, fishing, or any hobby on the face of creation "work in our relationship with the Lord"? If they don't, how was I "over-reacting" by restating what you're suggesting?



Okay, but you believe Christians should give up all hobbies, or, no? Stamp collecting doesn't edify. Playing sports doesn't edify. Dance doesn't edify. Planting flowers doesn't edify. Fishing doesn't edify. Going camping doesn't edify. etc.



Oh okay, so as long as a person is "gaming" it's okay as long as it doesn't take too much time? Which is how much time?

I'm just saying, if it's for you, okay: but is it really what God desires?

It's up to each one of us to ask the Lord. If He convicts us, as He has with me, and with the OP, then we give it up. God has something better in store for us.

This isn't really something we can discuss philosophically, nor should we. The Holy Spirit convicts our hearts personally, and we either obey or don't obey.

I'm saying that the OP should obey, and I'm offering my moral support.

This critical spirit of yours... Do you at all realize that you are questioning God, and not me? You need to take this reaction to Him.
 
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John Hyperspace

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Do you at all realize that you are questioning God

Well, given your statement, I realize you must think you're the Mouth of God? As for me, I'm just a man; but I do think advice like this could cause stumbling, and that seems to be something we should avoid causing. What if the OP now thinks obedience is mandatory, and fails to give up the hobbies? Now they start stumbling over the idea, now they could begin condemning themselves and stumbling to the point of falling? And what if God doesn't require this "give up your hobbies" but the OP is just being overly concerned over nothing? And now that nothing is becoming something to them as a stumblingblock to the faith. Do you understand why being "critical" is sometimes necessary in these regards? Your original reply was a statement of truth, "anything that doesn't edify needs to go" is being said to everyone, all people reading this thread can be affected by what's being said.

And for the record, no, I don't believe I'm questioning God, I believe I'm questioning some random human. I get that Christians seem to think everything they say and believe is the truth of Almighty God; I happen to disagree with them, since they don't seem at all to be in agreement with one another; so either God is divided against Himself, or, they're not actually speaking for God.
 
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Emli

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Well, given your statement, I realize you must think you're the Mouth of God? As for me, I'm just a man; but I do think advice like this could cause stumbling, and that seems to be something we should avoid causing. What if the OP now thinks obedience is mandatory, and fails to give up the hobbies? Now they start stumbling over the idea, now they could begin condemning themselves and stumbling to the point of falling? And what if God doesn't require this "give up your hobbies" but the OP is just being overly concerned over nothing? And now that nothing is becoming something to them as a stumblingblock to the faith. Do you understand why being "critical" is sometimes necessary in these regards? Your original reply was a statement of truth, "anything that doesn't edify needs to go" is being said to everyone, all people reading this thread can be affected by what's being said.

And for the record, no, I don't believe I'm questioning God, I believe I'm questioning some random human. I get that Christians seem to think everything they say and believe is the truth of Almighty God; I happen to disagree with them, since they don't seem at all to be in agreement with one another; so either God is divided against Himself, or, they're not actually speaking for God.

Yes. Anything that doesn't edify us has to go.

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

If you cannot do it for God, then don't do it at all.

1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

I'm not claiming to speak for God. However, the Bible does. And it is clear on this matter. Jesus told us to give up our possessions, and love God with all of our hearts, all of our minds and all of our strength.

You have a very critical spirit. I am trying to help the OP take a step that will help grow in Christ, and you want to prevent it.
 
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Well, given your statement, I realize you must think you're the Mouth of God? As for me, I'm just a man; but I do think advice like this could cause stumbling, and that seems to be something we should avoid causing. What if the OP now thinks obedience is mandatory, and fails to give up the hobbies? Now they start stumbling over the idea, now they could begin condemning themselves and stumbling to the point of falling? And what if God doesn't require this "give up your hobbies" but the OP is just being overly concerned over nothing? And now that nothing is becoming something to them as a stumblingblock to the faith. Do you understand why being "critical" is sometimes necessary in these regards? Your original reply was a statement of truth, "anything that doesn't edify needs to go" is being said to everyone, all people reading this thread can be affected by what's being said.

And for the record, no, I don't believe I'm questioning God, I believe I'm questioning some random human. I get that Christians seem to think everything they say and believe is the truth of Almighty God; I happen to disagree with them, since they don't seem at all to be in agreement with one another; so either God is divided against Himself, or, they're not actually speaking for God.

You seem to be in the same broken, fallen state I was just a few days ago.

If a person thinks getting rid of possessions leads one closer to God, I'm all for it.
 
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Emli

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Well, given your statement, I realize you must think you're the Mouth of God? As for me, I'm just a man; but I do think advice like this could cause stumbling, and that seems to be something we should avoid causing.

That's the problem. You are just a man, and you are just giving your opinion. We are told to rely not on our own understanding. We should search Scriptures for Truth and wisdom, and rely on that only.

It really doesn't matter what you, or I, think. The only opinion that matters is God's.
 
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AvgJoe

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(Why do you still have a computer?)

I like my 23" monitor. I can't actually see and read everything. And, with my big fingers, typing on a virtual keyboard is such a chore. My desktop PC is here to stay. : O)
 
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I think God is calling me to give up my collectibles, action figures, comic books, and magic cards. I don't know why but the thought has been weighing on my mind for over a year now, along with a few other things that I am trying to finally give in on and obey. I've been resisting, resisting, resisting. These things bring me much joy but I know nothing is more important than the Lord. Has anyone else ever experienced a struggled with something such as this?

Or you can just ignore or forget them.

Which would be healthier for you?
to hide, destroy, or sell them
or just forget you had them at all?

I suggest replace them with new hobbies.
 
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There is a reason that the Statement of Purpose says

Christian Advice Statement of Purpose

We would ask that members direct their responses to the member who started the thread and refrain from debating one another's theological beliefs and viewpoints. Do not use this forum to debate with other Christians as that is not the purpose of the Christian Advice forum. If members would like todiscuss/debate specific Christian theological doctrines, they should do so in one of the Theology forums.
 
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LRose613

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Or you can just ignore or forget them.

Which would be healthier for you?
to hide, destroy, or sell them
or just forget you had them at all?

I suggest replace them with new hobbies.
You raise a good point, I've tried the ignore and forget, it does not work in my case, unfortunately. I found myself continuing to obsess over the new ones I want and buying more, and more. Unfortunately, I think the only way is to get rid of them. I am leaning towards selling because I know that they would not be such a problem for everyone, but for me they are quite the stumbling block.
 
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Emli

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There is a reason that the Statement of Purpose says

Christian Advice Statement of Purpose

We would ask that members direct their responses to the member who started the thread and refrain from debating one another's theological beliefs and viewpoints. Do not use this forum to debate with other Christians as that is not the purpose of the Christian Advice forum. If members would like todiscuss/debate specific Christian theological doctrines, they should do so in one of the Theology forums.

Thank you for correcting us. Godbless!
 
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Thank you for correcting us. Godbless!
You're welcome, and thank you!

I know it can be confusing, with various rules in different forums. Just trying to step in for the OP's sake. :)

God be with you. :)
 
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